Updated at: 27-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Some of the world’s finest medical institutions can be found in the Caribbean. There are a plethora of top-notch institutions in the area for prospective medical students to choose from. Students at these institutions receive a top-notch education that sets them up for a prosperous medical career. Students interested in the medical field would do well to consider schools in the Caribbean. Students in the area are given a well-rounded education that sets them up for success in the medical field at schools with a reputation for excellence in education. The Caribbean is home to a plethora of top-notch medical schools for students interested in this field. Choosing the right school can be difficult because there are so many excellent possibilities. However, if students put in the time and effort required to find a suitable program, they will succeed. Because of its proximity to the United States, excellent infrastructure, and world-class faculty, the Caribbean is a great place for medical students to study.

There are a number of excellent medical schools in the area, and graduates of any of them should be well-equipped to practice medicine professionally. Students should take their time exploring their options, as there are many excellent educational institutions from which to choose. Caribbean medical schools provide students with a top-notch education and the tools they’ll need to become successful professionals. There are a number of excellent medical schools in the area, and anyone thinking about a career in medicine should give them serious consideration.

Some of the best medical schools in the world can be found in the Caribbean, making the region an attractive option for medical students from all over the world. Students in this area are known to receive an excellent education that sets them up for a prosperous medical career. Given the Caribbean’s well-deserved reputation for high-quality healthcare, it’s possible that medical students studying elsewhere in the world would benefit more from attending a school in the Caribbean. Attending a medical school in the Caribbean will provide you with a world-class education that will set you up for a prosperous medical career.

Learn about the cutting-edge facilities, scholarship opportunities, course selections, and pedagogical frameworks of the top Caribbean medical schools in this article. Students interested in studying medicine in the Caribbean have a wide variety of excellent institutions from which to choose. Students in the area have access to top-notch educational opportunities that equip them with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to become leaders in their chosen fields.

Here is a rundown of the top Caribbean medical schools, along with some information about the courses they offer and how they are organized:

Best Caribbean Medical Schools

Best caribbean medical schools

St. George’s University

St. George’s University can be found on the Caribbean island of Grenada. The university has been around for over 30 years, and its reputation as a top medical institution has only strengthened over that time. Over 140 countries are represented among the student body at this Caribbean medical institution.

There are numerous available options. St. George’s University offers both a standard MD program and a BD/MD integrated into a seven-year curriculum.

The numbers at St. George’s University are staggering. More than 1,100 graduates from the school were accepted into residency programs in the United States and Canada in 2020. The 2018 UMSLE Step 1 pass rate for the institution was reported to be 96%. That makes them a serious contender for the title of “best medical school in the Caribbean.”

Ross University

Ross University

Bridgetown, Barbados is home to RUSM (Ross University School of Medicine). The institution’s humble beginnings can be traced back to Dominica. However, in 2019, it was moved to Barbados.

The institution is dedicated to providing its students with a practical education. The global health perspective you gain at RUSM will serve you well no matter where in the United States you choose to practice medicine.

RUSM has a conventional medical degree program. However, the curriculum is structured in a number of ways to cater to students’ individual requirements. Pick a route that’s just right for your speed.

The course load is the same regardless of major. The first half of your training will be spent learning the fundamentals of medicine and the basic sciences. The second half focuses on clinical training and rotations.

American University of Antigua

One of the newest medical schools in the Caribbean can be found at the American University of Antigua. The university has a solid reputation despite having only opened its doors in 2004. It has also established reliable connections with American institutions like hospitals and universities.

The American University of Antigua is affiliated with more than 40 hospitals in North America. Students can complete their clinical rotations there and gain exposure to a wide range of patients. A clerkship certificate program is offered in conjunction with Florida International University.

The university provides a number of degrees, such as a Bachelor of Science in Human Health Sciences, a Bachelor of Medicine, and an Accelerated Pre-Medical Program. Clearly, there are a number of advantages to studying medicine at this institution, making it a top choice among Caribbean medical schools.

Saba University School of Medicine

Saba University School of Medicine is a for-profit, private medical institution located on the Dutch Caribbean territory of Saba. There are many options for study at the university, including a medical degree. The mission of the School of Medicine at Saba University is to provide students with an excellent education that will allow them to pursue a rewarding medical career. The Accreditation Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools has granted full accreditation, and the school is included in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Founded in 1992 under Dr. Joseph Chu’s presidency.

Avalon University School of Medicine

Avalon University School of Medicine

AUSOM is a private medical institution in the Caribbean city of Willemstad on the island of Curaçao. The MD degree is awarded to those who complete the medical program at AUSOM. University administration is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio. Originally established in 2003 as Xavier University School of Medicine, AUSOM later moved to Curaçao and adopted its current name in 2010. Students spend their first two years on campus taking required basic science courses, their third year at an admissions office in Youngstown, Ohio for eight weeks, and their fourth year completing 18 months of clinical clerkships in the United States, including 24 weeks of elective clerkships.

The goal of the medical program at Avalon University is to train doctors who are up to the task of caring for patients in their local communities and beyond. Graduates of Avalon are dedicated to patient care and public health and uphold the highest levels of professionalism and ethical conduct. In addition to a highly selective residency and fellowship placement program, the university provides financial aid in the form of scholarships and payment plans.

American University of Barbados, School of Medicine

The American University of Barbados is widely regarded as the region’s top medical school. The Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Medical and Health Professions (CAAM-HP) has given its stamp of approval. The School of Medicine at the American University of Barbados has a rolling admissions policy, which means that applications are accepted throughout the year and students can start their studies on any of the five start dates offered. The school provides a novel, experiential learning environment, with early clinical exposure beginning in the first semester. Internships can be done at medical facilities in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.

In 2011, the American University of Barbados (AUB) established a private medical school. In its early days, AUB was an offshoot of Era’s Indian-based Lucknow Medical College and Hospital. When it first opened its doors in January 2012, the school was the first offshore private medical school in Barbados. As of November 2015, there were 135 students enrolled, with 2 Barbadians for every 5 international students.

University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Basseterre, Saint Kitts)

From the shores of Saint Kitts to the suburbs of Portland, Maine, and on to clinical clerkships all over the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, students in UMHS’ 10-semester MD program see it all.

The first four semesters are spent at the Saint Kitts campus, and the fifth is spent in Portland, Oregon, learning the fundamentals of clinical medicine. The next step is an elective clinical rotation at one of the hospitals with which UMHS is affiliated.

The USMLE Step 1 first-time pass rate at UMHS is 93%, and the school has a 96% retention rate. The Caribbean setting and cutting-edge infrastructure make for a memorable educational experience for students.

High-definition LCD projectors and multiple 56-inch LED monitors are standard in the classrooms. The audiovisual equipment and projection microscopes are standard in modern multi-purpose laboratories. The university also features state-of-the-art facilities for human anatomy, neuroanatomy, and simulation.

In order for students to realize their academic potential, the Anne Ross Library and Learning Resource Center provide additional research resources and study spaces. Books, videos, and electronic journals are all part of the collection. Even though the campus is on an island, students have access to high-speed internet everywhere.

The curriculum is very similar to that of the top U.S. medical schools, but unlike mainland medical schools, UMHS is much more affordable. In addition, there are many scholarship opportunities available, both from the government and from private organizations.

Trinity School of Medicine

Trinity School of Medicine

Trinity Medical Sciences University (TMSU) is a private medical institution that offers a portion of its medical degree programs in the United States (the clinical sciences component of the Doctor of Medicine degree) and a portion in the Caribbean (the basic sciences component, the Pre-medical program, and the Masters program) at its campus in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In response to a need for more medical professionals in the United States and Canada, it opened its doors in 2008. Organizationally based in Roswell, Georgia, it also collaborates with Kingstown, Rhode Island’s Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and Baltimore, Maryland’s Northwest Hospital.

Students who have not completed the four semesters of pre-med requirements can enroll in the undergraduate programs offered by the institution. For students who have not earned transferable credits from international institutions, the Pre-Medical Program offers 90 credits in fundamental medical education. If you want to become a doctor, Trinity has a 5-year International Program just for you. The program was created with the same prerequisites that U.S. students complete, leveling the playing field for international students. The program’s perks include undergraduate test preparation, instruction from MD faculty, and asynchronous learning.

Xavier University School of Medicine (Oranjestad, Aruba)

Pre-med and MD degrees are available at XUSM. The pre-med program is intended for high-achieving students who would like to cut down the time it takes to complete their undergraduate degree and enter medical school. They can then move on to the MD program, which lasts four years and is divided into two parts: basic science study and clinical rotation.

Xavier’s mission is to train doctors who are compassionate, knowledgeable, ethical, and curious about the world around them.

The institution has thus set up a number of international pre-med programs in countries like India, Jordan, and Ghana. Prospective medical students can now fulfill their pre-med requirements at a school in their home country before enrolling in the MD program at Xavier University.

After completing their undergraduate studies, these future doctors head to Aruba to complete the MD’s basic sciences requirement before returning to the United States to complete their clinical clerkships.

These students come from underserved communities and often return there after completing their medical education. Xavier attracts students from all over the world, not just the United States and Canada, so that its graduates can meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals around the globe.

After completing the required 48 weeks of core rotations, students can select from elective rotations at hospitals in a variety of locations across the United States and beyond, including Illinois, New York, Maryland, Puerto Rico, and more.

The XUSM faculty comes from all over the world and in terms of clinical experience. Most have long-standing careers in the United States. Some bring in-depth knowledge from other fields, such as Jacques Odryzynski, a process engineer for Valero who now teaches chemistry at Xavier.

St. Matthew’s University (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)

St. Matthew’s University (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)

Both the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) can be earned at St. Matthew’s University.

Students will have use of a two-story building that was once a hotel on Grand Cayman’s seven-mile beach. The hall is just a short distance from campus and provides a quiet setting that is conducive to study. A total of 80 guest rooms, including 29 standard suites and 8 deluxe suites, are available.

The MD curriculum spans ten semesters, with the first five devoted to studying the fundamentals of medicine before moving on to clinical rotations. Students complete their first two years of basic science at SMU before moving on to clinical rotations at rural hospitals in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.

There are only seven students for every faculty member in the MD program, and yet almost all of them pass the USMLE Step 1 on their first try.

In addition, students can take advantage of SMU’s Center for Learning Enhancement (CLE), an all-encompassing program designed to help them succeed in their academic pursuits.

Students’ performance in medical school is enhanced by CLE’s peer mentoring, academic advising, and academic development workshops, as well as faculty reviews and tutoring outside of class time.

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program is an accelerated three-year course of study with maximum class sizes of twenty students and tuition discounts of 10-20%.

Clinical experiences will be gained in both small-animal and large-animal hospitals, where students will work directly with a wide range of species. They can also apply for one-year externships at partner institutions in the United States and Canada.

Conclusion

Attending a medical school in the Caribbean can pave the way to a successful medical career, but it is not a simple process. The competition for residency programs is less fierce than in the United States, but you’ll still need excellent grades and scores on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to make it.

Students whose grades are just below the threshold for acceptance to a medical school in the United States can still pursue their goal of one day donning a white coat.